Stat(s) Of The Year: ATL 2025 Data Roundup - Above the Law

"As we close out 2025, we've compiled some highlights from the data collected through our surveys and other research over the last year: No. of participants in ATL surveys: 7,591 No. of surveys conducted: 13 No. of times someone cursed at us in a survey response: 16 (15 times by the same respondent) Number of readers who responded to our Biglaw Intimidation Survey in April regarding the Trump administration's efforts to retaliate against law firms based on association with the president's perceived enemies: 857"

"Percentage of those readers who agreed that law firms who make deals with the administration are "giving in to extortion:" 91% Proportion of in-house counsel who reported that their workday is burdened by administrative tasks that detract from high-level legal work: 88% Percentage of associates surveyed in October who reported being on track to bill at least 2100 hours for the year: 45%"

"The proportion of law firm respondents who said hourly billing will better drive alignment between law firms and in-house legal teams: 26% Percentage of in-house respondents who said the same thing: 5% The law school with the most alumni on the federal bench: Harvard (121 sitting judges as of June 10, 2025) The only law school to make the Top 5 in ATL's Law School Rankings in each of the last 10 years: University of Chicago"

7,591 participants completed 13 ATL surveys during 2025, with 16 instances of profanity recorded (15 by one respondent). 857 readers responded to the Biglaw Intimidation Survey in April, and 91% of those agreed that law firms making deals with the administration were "giving in to extortion." Eighty-eight percent of in-house counsel reported administrative tasks burdening their workday and detracting from high-level legal work. Forty-five percent of associates reported being on track to bill at least 2,100 hours for the year. Twenty-six percent of law firm respondents said hourly billing will better align firms with in-house teams, versus 5% of in-house respondents. Harvard had 121 sitting federal judges as alumni and the University of Chicago remained in ATL's Top 5 for ten consecutive years. Fifty-six percent of law firm partners and 70% of in-house counsel read Above the Law during the workday. Increased use of AI and automation was named the most significant trend for the next five years. The ratio of readers wanting "more snark" to those wanting less was 3 to 2.

Read at Above the Law